Three Tees Valley teachers were jubilant today after coming top of the class. The trio were triumphant at the Teaching Awards Ceremony for the North East and Cumbria at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

Michael McMonigle, of Hurworth Comprehensive School in Darlington, was named Teacher of the Year for raising standards in religious education.

He said: "I really wasn't expecting it but I feel very privileged. I want to say thank you to the head and the staff at the school who have all been very supportive."

Michelle Clarke of West View Primary School in Hartlepool was named Teaching Assistant of the Year for her work in social inclusion.

She said: "I support the whole school and the local community, working with parents to try and get them involved."

Linda Ward of English Martyrs School in Hartlepool walked away with the Teaching Award for Enterprise.

Judges heard she works hard to increase shape the entrepreneurial skills of the pupils, who have competed in the finals of enterprise competitions at home and abroad.

She said: "We do teamwork problem-solving in non-friendship groups and set them challenges to work through problems, and also help them realise how important it is to work with other people."

The three will go on to compete in the national finals in London in October.

Meanwhile Lesley Welsh, of English Martyrs School, was awarded a distinction in the teacher of the year category, and Aby Harrison, also of English Martrys, got a distinction in teaching assistant of the year.

Ken Watson, of Manor College of Technology in Hartlepool, received a distinction for governor of the year; Harry Smith of Bishopsgarth School in Stockton received a commendation in the governor of the year category, and Lindsay Boardman of St Cuthbert's Primary School in Stockton was shortlisted for outstanding new teacher.